5 Reasons Why Veterinarians Do Some Of The Things They Do!

Making an accurate diagnosis can be very difficult without them. There is a wealth of information veterinarians can learn from the blood panels that pet owners would not be able to communicate. Symptoms for one illness may overlap with symptoms of another ailment that require completely different treatments. It would be much easier (and less expensive) if our pets just learned to speak English so they could tell us what they are feeling!

With a simple blood test, veterinarians can rule out a wide variety of possibilities such as kidney failure or liver failure among others. This gives them the foundation to make a sound diagnosis and provide effective treatment. In the long run, an early blood test can save you time and money.

Why does my veterinarian always give my cat his shots in the leg?

Unfortunately, there is a slight chance (~1 in 10,000) of cancer as a result of feline vaccination. The reason veterinarians give cats a shot in the leg is quite simple. A leg can be amputated, but a vital part of the body cannot. The consequences of not vaccinating your cat can be severe as diseases like feline HIV or feline leukemia are relatively common. The benefits of vaccination far exceed the risk in my opinion.

Why does my veterinarian give the same amount of vaccine to my small Chihuahua as he does my large Great Dane? Won’t that overdose him?

This largely depends on the type and brand of vaccine used, but keep in mind that veterinarians are professionals that would never knowingly put your pet at risk. The majority of vaccines are designed to work based on the total particles delivered. This means that regardless of size, your pet would need to get an equal amount of the shot as all the other pets. The vaccine simply will not vaccinate if a certain percentage of those particles are not delivered. There is no such thing as a partial vaccination. It is all or nothing!

Why does my veterinarian always want to treat my puppies for worms when they have never been outside?

Roughly 97% of pets are born with them. Their mother was kind enough to not only pass on her genes, but her internal parasites as well! Some of these parasites like hookworm, roundworms, and whip worms can be transmitted from your pet to you or your children. So before you let your puppy go on a mad licking spree, it might be a good idea to have him dewormed.

Why does my veterinarian recommend an anti-flea and tick medication like Frontline instead of a flea collar?

Most anti-flea and tick applicators like Frontline have chemicals that are absorbed into your pet’s skin to provide full body protection. Flea collars are effective, but are only effective in protecting the neck and head areas that are in close proximity to the collar.

By Garett Flores

About The Author

Garett Flores is a pre-vet student employed as a veterinary assistant at a private small animal practice in Bakersfield, California. He has combined his love of animals and experience with computers to create a web page about animal husbandry and basic animal pet care for a variety of pets including but not limited to ferrets, lizards, snakes, turtles, rats, mice, and hamsters.